Social Security and AARP Work to Slam the Scam
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: February 21, 2023
AARP is helping SSA and its Office of the Inspector General warn you about scammers using Social Security in coronavirus (COVID-19) scams. AARP has a new webinar available for free (registration required), advising the public that scammers’ tactics continue to evolve, and they are now using coronavirus to try to scare us. Don’t be fooled!
Scammers may contact you by phone, letter, text, or email impersonating government officials to trick you into providing money or personal information. They may tell you Social Security is going to stop your benefits because its offices are closed, or ask you to pay a fee to receive extra benefits due to the pandemic. Scammers may even pose as COVID-19 contact tracers working to stop the spread of the virus and ask for payment or your Social Security Number. Don’t be fooled!
Social Security and other government agencies will never:
- Call you to request information or payment due to coronavirus or office closures.
- Threaten to arrest you because of an identity theft problem.
- Require you to put money into a protected account.
- Ask you for payment by gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or by mailing cash.
- Tell you to make up a story to tell your family or bank employees about why you need gift cards or cash.
Social Security continues to pay benefits during the pandemic. Social Security has closed offices to the public to follow social distancing guidelines, but its employees are still hard at work. If you have questions about how the coronavirus has affected Social Security services, visit its website.
If you receive a suspicious call or communication, do not call the number they give you. Don’t respond in any way. Ignore the message, never click the link, and hang up the phone without providing any information or even giving your name. To report a Social Security scam, contact the Office of the Inspector General. Share this information with your loved ones, and help us “slam the scam”!
Did you find this Information helpful?
See Comments
About the Author
Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General
About Tracy Lynge, Communications Director for the Office of the Inspector General
Comments
Comments are closed.
Lakey
AARP Let Congress steal about a trillion dollars from Social Security. AARP should be tarred and feathered
Madelon A.
I am sorry to say that I fell victim to an internet scam, not with my SS, but important to know about. I wanted to share so others will be aware of it.
I have retired to Ireland, my mother’s home, and here almost two years–I have dual citizenship…
The following is a national radio program for which I was used to tell my story:
https://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/share/radio1/21793098
I’m sharing it to anyone who’s interested as my small of helping others…
Thank you!
Madelon Albert ☘️
Magda a.
I have 2 questions :
I – do I have to be working in USA to be eligible for social security benefits?
2 -I keep receiving letters from AARP for enrollment as a member and asking for enrollment fees , is this a scam ???
V.V.
Hi Magda, thanks for using our blog. You qualify for Social Security benefits by earning Social Security credits when you work in a job and pay Social Security taxes. We base Social Security credits on the amount of your earnings. We use your earnings and work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits or your family’s eligibility for survivors benefits when you die. In 2020, you receive one credit for each
$1,410 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year. Check out our publication “How You Earn Credits” for additional details.
Aniket P.
Hi, I am glad that I have gone through such an astonishing post, Thanks for sharing !
Source: https://tractorguru.in/second-hand-powertrac-tractors
LISA M.
I need to make an appointment with my local Social Security Office to reevaluate my case, as my asset’s , condition,and my finances have changed., I’m unable to take care if this over the phone, and as to why my SS benefits is continually getting cut into without written notice, due process, or cause. As well as my small SSI check… I need answers and need to know if this is to continue , I want to ask for an appeal and all parties involved to answer me why and how was this authorized… I’ve never broken no laws or rules that I’m aware of.. I need to report a severe breech of Privacy done by my locale SS office to me as well as courisuon. ON THEIR PART.. APPRECIATE ANY HELP GIVEN TO NE TO ASSIST IN THIS ENDEAVOUR.
THANK YOU..
LISA M.
I need to make an appointment with my local Social Security Office to reevaluate my case, as my asset’s , condition and my finances gave changed, I’m unable to take care if this over the phone, and as to why my SS benefits is continually getting cut into without written notice, due process, or cause. As well as my small SSI check… I need answers and need to know if this is to continue , I want to ask for an appeal and all parties involved to answer me why and how was this authorized… I’ve never broken no laws or rules that I’m aware of.. I need to report a severe breech of Privacy done by my locale SS office to me as well as courisuon. ON THEIR PART.. APPRECIATE ANY HELP GIVEN TO NE TO ASSIST IN THIS ENDEAVOUR.
THANK YOU..
V.V.
Hi Lisa, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Jim C.
Why team up with AARP? Did AMAC not bid on the deal? Or were they given a chance? Is there a swamp rat spending the SSA advertisement money?
Mr T.
Mr Takaphan jaruhungsin agency.gov overseas in Thailand llc and wealth public affairs federal contract my status and ssa ,of privacy program .gov my case do not any your scammer to your department of ssa ,but my due time for retirement plan.gov pay on! Please open pay my income now!
RAJNIKANT
i also got this scam phone call treaten me to suspend my social security account with all future benefits , also they
told me to close my bank saving account + all credit card
They told me this as identity theft on your social security
number , you may be arrested by law & may be sentese to jail shortly , i got this scam call after 4.30pm 06/18/20 .one from bryan tx other at 4.45pm from Baltimore , why some one on the name of s.s admi. threatening on phone
V.V.
Thanks for letting us know, Rajnikant. Generally, we will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. Recently, scams—misleading victims into making cash or gift card payments to avoid arrest for Social Security number problems—have skyrocketed. Our employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money.
If you receive a suspicious call like this: 1) Hang up. 2) Do not provide personal information, money, or retail gift cards. 3) Report suspicious calls here. For more information on how to protect yourself, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Patricia A.
I had my computer hacked and I had to correct a lot of personal data. They somehow got my driver license number (I was able to get my license changed) my question can they use that information to obtain other information etc. social security number.? What does this information from driver license allow a hacker to obtain.
I have a second question I have information on one person that is now collecting disability that may not qualify is there a system to check on people on disability on a yearly basis?
V.V.
Hi Patricia, thanks for the questions. Generally, identity theft issues are handled by the Federal Trade Commission. Visit http://www.identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on what you can do if you think someone is using your Social Security number.
The Social Security Administration reviews disability cases from time to time to make sure the individuals receiving checks are still eligible to get them. The review depends on how severe the medical condition is and the likelihood it will improve. Generally, if medical improvement is possible, we will do a continuing disability review (CDR) approximately every 3 years. If not, we may review it less frequently. For more information, check out our Continuing Eligibility web page.